FITNESS Spiritually By Rev. Charles Zinner
F
itness in this country has always connoted the exertion of muscular energy, often with sweat and bursts of energy to achieve a level of physical endurance and health. Many of our western sports emphasize strength, toughness and extreme effort in accomplishing fitness and in competition. Sweat and hard physical exertion, though draining, in the name of health and fitness have been the vogue in training and competition. On the other hand and little known until recently to exercise physiologists in the west, the eastern philosophy of health and well-being centers around a different kind of energetic development. The “theory” of energy (known as qi, chi, ki, prana) while similar to western energy, pervades the eastern approach to living and exercising with its belief in an energetic system in the body (meridians or channels) which covers and interpenetrates both the internal organs and surface of the body. The meridians are similar to the western concept of blood vessels in that they carry the
energy to all parts of the body. While there is not yet a definitive, standard, scientific answer to the question of “what is qi”, qi is often defined by western scientists as some sort of bioelectrical energy that exists in the human body. While the point of this month’s theme is fitness, the tie-in of this article is to point out the potential fitness and outcomes of a person engaging in the energetic aspects of building qi (energy) from qigong/chikung, tai chi and the other “internal arts”. External martial arts focus a lot on external physical power, such as strength of muscles and bones. Their goals are to make the body to go faster, be stronger, and maintain the pace longer. There are more external martial arts than internal martial arts. Examples of Chinese external martial arts include Praying Mantis, Hung Gar, Monkey, Tiger, and Wing Chun Kung Fu as is the Korean martial art of Tae Kwon Do. One Chinese internal martial art is Taijiquan/ tai chi. Besides Taijiquan, there are
Get started today! www.tampabayorganics.com hello@tampabayorganics.com
(813.949.1112 50% OFF bOx
yOur First
promo code: GOODLIVING
1831 N. Belcher Rd. Ste. C2 Clearwater 33765
727-669-6000 www.HealingTouchOM.com Get yourself evaluated! Go to our online store and use coupon code TBW for a special Tampa Bay Wellness discount!
12 JUNE 2017 • Tampa Bay Wellness
Fresh, Organic PrOduce delivered year-round
• Customize your box with your favorite fruits and veggies • Receive a box weekly or create your own delivery schedule • No commitment or delivery fees and 100% guaranteed Contact us 813-501-4894 •